Is The Force With You?

Posted by:  Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
                  Training Coordinator

I just read an awesome article about ‘job searching’ for the over 40 and unemployed group. The truth is that regardless of your age, it’s still a great article.

Click here to read words of wisdom from Yoda.

 

 

3 Techniques to Fight Unemployment Stigma

Posted by:  Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
                  Training Coordinator

For those of you that have been following this blog, I’m sure you’ve noticed that lately I’ve been posting links to a lot of articles at Careerrealism. There’s a reason for that. They have some really good articles.

I just finished reading the one about 3 Techniques to Fight Unemployment Stigma. Now it’s your turn.

 
Click here to read the article.

Is Your Lack of Soft Skills Keeping You Unemployed?

Posted by:  Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC

                  Training Coordinator

Just like the diamond on the soft pillow is made to shine more because of its soft background, your soft skills will help your hard skills shine.

A lot of people seem to think that if they have the hard skills necessary to do the job they should get hired. In my workshops I do my best to disillusion those individuals. The reality is that if your soft skills are not up to speed, the hard skills, education and experience border on being irrelevant.

I recently read a very good article that outlines the value of soft skills. Even if you think your soft skills are above average, give it a read.

 
To read the article click here.

Not Sure Which Way To Go?

Posted by:  Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
                  Training Coordinator

At this moment for the purposes of this article, why you’re unemployed or underemployed doesn’t matter. What does matter is you deciding where you want to go from here.

Do you want to go back to the kind of work you were doing? Are you bored with that and ready for something new but have no idea what you might do next? Or maybe your old job no longer exists and you have to find something different. Regardless, of the reason you’re looking for a new job, keep in mind that on average we spend more time at work than we spend with our families. So it makes sense that we enjoy our work.

With that in mind I encourage you to explore your work related interests by using the link below. The link will take you to the O’Net Online where you can explore six categories of interest. These six interest categories are about ‘Preferences for work environments and outcomes’.

Explore and learn about yourself. It could make your job search easier and more effective.

 
Click here to explore your work related interests.

10 Things You Need To Do While You’re Unemployed

Posted by: Darlene Duncan CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
Training Coordinator

Being unemployed leaves you with a great deal of time on your hands. If you’re not sure what to do with all that time, besides job searching. Here are some productive ideas for you, take a class to learn or improve on a job skill, use the time to come up with ideas or start a professional blog.

For the details on these ideas and more read the article by clicking here.

STRESS Relief

Posted by:
Darlene Duncan, CWDP, JSS, CCC, JCTC, JCDC
Training Coordinator

We all know what helps us relax, whether it’s a walk on the beach watching the pelicans glide just above the waves, a stroll down a wooded path listening to the birds singing or sitting in your backyard watching the antics of a couple of squirrels. Knowing what helps you relax is only half the battle. You have to remember to take time for that relaxation. Stress relief should be one of your top priorities when it comes to your health.

Stress makes you susceptible to a variety of ailments and aggravates existing ailments. If you don’t believe me, Google the word stress and you will find a great deal of research has been done on the topic and how it affects your health.

Job searching is stressful, being unemployed is stressful, having financial problems…you get the idea. A new stressor is fast approaching, the holiday season. It creates its own special brand of stress.

So remember to schedule time for yourself. Time where all you do is breathe deeply and relax, clear your mind of all that’s going on in your life and just be. Stop and smell the roses, watch the birds, smell the salt air of the sea or whatever it is that helps you relieve stress.